Marcus Rashford’s use of social media will be added to the GCSE Media Studies curriculum.
It comes after the footballer used online platforms to promote influential charity work and his position against racism in sport.
The AQA review panel added the Manchester United and England player to the course from this month following his rising profile and influence on a range of social issues during the pandemic.
The new addition to the GCSE course is part of the Exam Board’s commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
The AQA is also setting up an expert panel to review representation in the program and assessment.
Rashford has launched a campaign to persuade the government to provide free meals to vulnerable pupils in England during school holidays during the pandemic, forcing a series of government U-turns.
In May, the 23-year-old highlighted the torrent of racist messages he received on social media following Manchester United’s Europa League final defeat.
In July, Rashford said he was sorry for his missed penalty in England’s Euro 2020 final loss to Italy but said he will ‘never apologize’ for who he is. is after suffering racist abuse on social media.
He has successfully used social media to promote his campaigns on child food poverty, as well as to ensure that all students have access to books.
He became the youngest person to top The Sunday Times donation list by raising £20million in supermarket donations for groups tackling child poverty.
Rashford, who himself received free school meals, was named an MBE in the delayed 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honors List.
It is hoped that including the footballer in the course will allow students to explore his use of social media as a means of influence, but it will also allow them to learn about the social and racial issues he raises.
Other additions to the course include Black Widow from the Marvel Universe, the Kiss Radio Breakfast Show, Heat magazine, and the television series His Dark Materials based on the novels by Sir Philip Pullman.
Sandra Allan, Curriculum Lead for Creative Arts at AQA, said: “I’m really excited about the changes we’ve made – they’re engaging and relevant and will inspire and motivate.
“Marcus Rashford is one of the UK’s most influential and inspiring young people, so students can learn a huge amount from how he uses social media to make a real impact.
“It’s not just an opportunity for them to learn about social media – it’s also a great way to learn about important social and racial issues as part of our commitment to the equality, diversity and inclusion in the program.”
She added, “There has never been a better time to become a media studies student.”